London: A History in Maps

by Peter Barber

Over the past 2000 years, London has developed from a small town, fitting snugly within its walls, into one of the world's largest and most dynamic cities. A History in Maps illustrates and helps to explain the transformation using over 400 examples of maps. Side-by-side with the great, semi-official, but sanitized images of the whole city, there are the more utilitarian maps and plans of the parts—actual and envisaged—which perhaps present more than topographical records. They all have something unique to say about the time when they were created. Peter Barber's book reveals the "inside story" behind one of the world's greatest cities.

Genres: History, London, Maps, Nonfiction, Travel

380 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2012

About the author

Peter Barber is the award-winning, bestselling author of Greek travel memoirs, including A Parthenon on our Roof and A Parthenon in Pefki.

A native Londoner, he lives between England and Greece. Marrying his fiery Greek wife Alexandra not only made him part of a Greek family but also immersed him in Greek life and culture. Fascinated by the people, history and traditions, Peter dove in head first. He wished to be among the locals and experience Greek life first-hand.

From his cultural and language flubs to the trials and tribulations of life in Greece, Peter sometimes got more than he bargained for. But with his signature wit, he found humor in their escapades. And, as he learned more about Greece’s history, his new family, and modern life in Greece, he knew he had to share his insights.

His humorous and heartfelt travel memoirs reveal the real Greece—not just sun and sea, but the wonderful people, rich history and culture. If you can’t get to Greece, live Greece through his books.

Peter is a proud member of the UK’s Society of Authors.

Reviews

[Lady Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong lover of maps, I could not resist when I found this coffee table size book at a bargain price. It is not a book that you sit down and read, but I'm putting it on my "Read" shelf, because otherwise it would remain on my "Currently Reading" shelf for a year to two. I enjoy the history for itself but also like having a reference book to get my bearings when reading historical fiction and biography set in London during various periods.

[AJW · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always loved maps and this coffee table book is a map lover’s dream. A comprehensive compilation of maps drawing the history of London through the centuries. And despite all the fires, bombs and redevelopments, the main street lines remain more or less unchanged making it easy to mentally imagine how London grew from mud tracks to concrete.

The only drawback with this book is that it’s too small. Some maps are so compressed to fit the pages that their detail are impossible to see. The author does attempt to deal with this by providing a small extract at a larger readable scale, but I have the impossible desire to see the whole map at a larger scale. Makes me sad that I missed this exhibition as I would have spent many fascinating hours staring at the maps.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history of London with historic maps and panoramas